Ute Creek Outfitters
Ute Creek Outfitters
Rated 5 out of 5.0 based on 41 Outfitter reviews.
Contact: Lee Vigil
Location: Costilla, New Mexico
Species Hunted: Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Pronghorn Antelope, Mountain Lion
State(s) Hunted: NM
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note: The following reviews predate the numeric rating system and are not included in this outfitter's overall rating.
outfitter review submitted by: Jim Leahy on Nov 10 2006
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: 10 bulls, lots of cows
Accommodation Quality: Great
Camp Condition: Great
Food Quality: Good
Guide Experience: Very Good
Other Personal Experience: Good
Overall Impression: Very Good opperation
Recommend: Yes
Reviewer Comments: I hunted the Muzzle Loader season- Oct 21-25th 2006 I saw alot of Elk, mostly larger herds with bulls still with the groups. These herds were hard to get close too- less than 175-200 yards for the muzzle loader and did not respond to calling- that made it a little tough. The larger bulls killed that week were by them selfs. I didnt get an opportunity at a large bull, but did pass on a small 5-5 on day 2 and then killed a 5-5 on the last hour of the hunt on day 5. That made the hunt special- killing a bull when I was beganing to think it wasnt going to happen. My guides and Lee were up beat and did not give up hunting- even when I was the last in camp- they kept glassing and trying to find me a bull- it was great! I was very satisfied with the hunt and plan on coming back again in a few years. The muzzle loader hunt is challenging and I would recommend it to the avid hunter who doesnt mind walking and meeting the challenge of a fair chase hunt. My killing shot was at 60 yards- that is probally about as close of a shot you would get there. Other hunters took shots at around 150-200. 4 hunters in camp- 3 shot bulls including a couple in the 300 class. Lee is honest in his description of his services he offers and the accomadations he provides. The hunt is not cheap- but you won't get taken like some of the reports you see on this site- this was my second hunt with Lee, I plan on more- God willing.
outfitter review submitted by: Rick Reid on Oct 28 2006
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Average & Above
Accommodation Quality: Above Average
Camp Condition: Average
Food Quality: Average
Guide Experience: Excelant
Other Personal Experience: Excelent & Above
Overall Impression: Dream Come True
Recommend: Absultey
Reviewer Comments: My guide, although extremley expirenced guide in the hunting aspect, needed more people skills. On all my previous hunts, none of my guides made me fell I was inadaquite as a hunter and didn't deserve to be on this hunt. At one point I told my guide I was going to request another guide do to the way he made me feel. I feel he treated me differnt because I was not one of the high tech hunters from one of the magazine or TV shows. This guide was always running ahead of me, never stayed right with me, when I would catch up, he would take off without a word. I know all hunters are not in quite as good shape as their guides, but all guides should be aware of this and hunt to their abilities. There is something to being pushed hard to get a big elk, but not to the point were you don't enjoy your hunt and feel humiluated. I am looking forward to hunting with this outfitter again and with the same guide now that he knows how he made me feel. Cowboy up Packey, see you in a few years.
outfitter review submitted by: JOE LONDON on Oct 16 2006
Species Hunted: ELK
Game Quality: EXCELLENT
Accommodation Quality: GOOD
Camp Condition: GOOD
Food Quality: EXCELLENT
Guide Experience: EXCELLENT
Other Personal Experience: EXCELLENT
Overall Impression: EXCELLENT
Recommend: YES
Reviewer Comments: THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING OPERATION WITH QUALITY HUNTING AND QUALITY PEOPLE.
outfitter review submitted by: C Urt Wells on Oct 16 2006
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Excellent
Accommodation Quality: Very Good
Camp Condition: Good
Food Quality: Good
Guide Experience: Excellent
Other Personal Experience: Excellent
Overall Impression: Great Hunt, gorgeous country
Recommend: Yes, without question.
Reviewer Comments: The high country on the Rio Costilla Park Ranch was some of the most beautiful I've hunted. Elk were plentiful and the bulls were bugling in every direction the first couple of days. The quality of the elk was outstanding due to their management efforts and those of the surrounding ranches. I took a 300+ 6X6 on the fourth morning and other bowhunters in camp had lots of action. Great hunt.
outfitter review submitted by: Kirk Kvitle on Oct 16 2006
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Excellent
Accommodation Quality: Good
Camp Condition: Excellent
Food Quality: Good
Guide Experience: Excellent
Other Personal Experience: Good
Overall Impression: Great
Recommend: Absolutely
Reviewer Comments: We saw elk every day and all hunters had good quality shots within 120 yards for our black powder hunt. Seventy five percent of us harvested trophy bulls! The guides and hospitality were very good as well. Kirk Kvitle Quincy, Il.
outfitter review submitted by: Mike Sokol on Oct 16 2006
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Excellent
Accommodation Quality: Good
Camp Condition: Good
Food Quality: Excellent
Guide Experience: Excellent knowledge of the lan
Other Personal Experience: Good
Overall Impression: Excellent
Recommend: Definately
Reviewer Comments: Lee and his team of professional guides go out of their way to insure a successful hunt. The land is game rich. The country is excellent for a bow hunter. I highly recommend Ute Creek Outfitters.
outfitter review submitted by: Dwain Gold on Dec 27 2005
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Excellent
Accommodation Quality: Very Good
Camp Condition: Very Good
Food Quality: Very Good
Guide Experience: Excellent
Other Personal Experience: Excellent
Overall Impression: Very Good
Recommend: Highly
Reviewer Comments: This was a muzzleloader hunt with a total of four hunters in camp. This is a fair chase hunt on an 85,000 acre ranch which borders the Valle Vidal. All four hunters had opportunities with three being successful. The one unsuccessful hunter had three shots but had problems with his scope and muzzleloader. I took a 7 x 6 - 330 class, one hunter took a 7 x 7 - 320 class, and one hunter took a 6 x 6 - 320 class. Having hunted in Colorado for years on do it yourself hunts on which I had taken several elk with none being a trophy I decided to try a New mexico hunt. I chose Ute Creek Outfitters and Lee Vigil. I found this hunt to be a true trophy hunt. Each day I saw several large bulls, two being 360 class bulls, one moved into the timber before I could get on it and the other was just out of my range with a muzzleloader and moved off when I did close the distance. I highly recommend this hunt if you want an opportunity at a trophy bull. The guides know the ranch and will work hard to get you an opportunity at a trophy bull. I will be back in 2006 for a rifle hunt with Lee.
outfitter review submitted by: Jim Leahy on Dec 22 2005
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Good,
Accommodation Quality: Good
Camp Condition: Good
Food Quality: Good
Guide Experience: Great
Other Personal Experience: Good
Overall Impression: Very Good
Recommend: Yes, next year
Reviewer Comments: 6 hunters in Camp, 4 harvested bulls and one had the misfortune of wounding one. Two of the bulls harvested were very nice trophys.The weather did not cooperate- we had sub zero temps with 30-40MPH winds- the snow wasnt deep enough in the high Country to push the elk down to the fields and lower elevations. So the elk were scattered in smaller herds and holed up to get out of the wind. I did see some smaller bulls, but none that met the 5-5 plus trophy standards of the ranch. The elk country on the Rio Costilla ranch is some of the best elk Country I have ever seen. I had the feeling this was not a typical hunt at the ranch, and conditions made the hunt harder than it normally is, but this was a fair chase hunt and fair chase hunting has no gaurantees. Over all 5 out of 6 hunters having an opportunity at a bull is very good considering the conditions that week. The guides worked hard for the clients and knew the country well. I will be returning next fall to hunt with Lee on the Rio Costilla.
outfitter review submitted by: Dean & Georgiann Hood on Dec 15 2005
Species Hunted: Bull Elk
Game Quality: Very Good
Accommodation Quality: Very Good
Camp Condition: Good
Food Quality: Excellent
Guide Experience: Very Good
Other Personal Experience: Very Good
Overall Impression: Very Good-Excellent
Recommend: Yes
Reviewer Comments: This was our first big game hunt (husband & wife) and we both harvested bull elk (5x5 & 6x5). The outfitter/guides worked very hard for us and got results. This will be an experience which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. They ran a safe and efficient operation.
outfitter review submitted by: Darrell Armbruster on Jan 31 2005
Species Hunted: Elk
Game Quality: Every day saw multiple trophy bulls
Accommodation Quality: Excellent
Camp Condition: Excellent
Food Quality: Excellent
Guide Experience: Very knowledable, caring
Other Personal Experience: Great
Overall Impression: A+
Recommend: Definitely
Reviewer Comments: From the moment I arrived at camp, the UTO crew was very accommodating, and truly cared about how I was treated. They also made sure before the hunt that my guide knew my limitations and also knew what type and quality of animal I was looking for. On two occasions, I thought I saw what looked like the trophy I wanted, but my guide told me to hold off, and wait for a nicer bull. The morning of day 5, we saw that bull. He green scored 325. UTO also took care of me after I harvested my animal. Getting the bull off the mountain, to getting it to the meat locker--several UTO crew member jumped in to assist.
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First Page
Contact: Phil Rutt
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming
Species Hunted: Whitetail Deer, Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Pronghorn Antelope, Mountain Lion, Coyote
State(s) Hunted: WY
Ontario Hunting Information
Ontario is often considered a sportsman's paradise. This large province contains huge sections of wilderness, filled with thousands of lakes that provide excellent habitat for Canada moose and black bear. Excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, muskie, smallmouth bass and other species can often be combined with a hunt. From spike camps to 5-star lodges, there are lodges, guides and outfitters for every adventure and every taste.
New Mexico Hunting Information
New Mexico is one of the top destinations for trophy Elk and Antelope hunting. Draw odds can be tough depending on the unit but landowner tags are also available for those who don't draw. Mule Deer are plentiful but generally of average size. Only a couple of units and reservations consistently produce big muleys.
Arizona Hunting Information
Arizona has lots of trophy big game but is probably best known for its trophy elk and mule deer. This partially due to the limited number of tags available.
